I'm sorry I didn't notice your addendum to the posting where you suggested I un-bunch my panties... [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

In the US, and likewise here in Canada, we have very strict regulations pertaining to the use of these "chemicals." However, my original question was pertaining to (and related to) a Spanish wine.

I have to agree with you that, for the most part, I don't have any problems, whatsoever, in drinking wines from the US or Canada. France, Australia, Italy, and Germany would also fall into that category.

Do you happen to know whether the regulations in Spain are as stringent as ours? The same question would apply to Chile and Argentina as well.

Capo, if you eat fresh fruits and vegetables from the supermarket you are likely injesting more pesticide residue than you would from drinking wine, especially if you have no idea from which country those fruits and vegetables come, or if you do know, you have no idea what their pesticide regulations are.

In viticulture, pesticides are among the most regulated chemicals and they are used as little as possible. In many cool growing regions most years don't provide enough insect problems to even warrant pesticide, or to at least warrant a minimum use that vegetable farmers would eny just for the cost savings.

As for Spain and that wine you were talking about: I do not accept sweeping indictments like "In Spain they use too much pesticides." It shows that the person who said it either doesn't know what he/she is talking about, has an agenda, or read two lines from a 2,000 word document. So, the best thing to do would be to contact that particular winery (Internet?) and ask.

Still, at about a bottle a day, I don't worry about pesticides in my wine--and I don't think you should either.

By the way, don't let Bucko get under your skin--since he is a doctor, he'll send you a bill for invasive procedure [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

The greatest reduction in volume of pesticide sales between 1991 and 1996, were seen in Finland (- 46%), the Netherlands (- 43%), Austria (-21%), Denmark (- 21%) and Sweden (- 17%). Together these accounted for 6.5% of the total volume of sales in 1996.
Significant decreases over this period were also recorded for more important markets, i.e. Italy (- 17%) Spain (- 15%), and France (- 11%), though in 1996 sales in Spain and France were up + 19% and + 11% respectively compared to 1995.

France is by far the EU's most important market for pesticides in terms of weight, accounting for some 31% of pesticide sales in the EU in 1996, the same as in 1991. Italy, the second most important market, is a long way behind with 16% of the market, followed by UK (12%), Germany (12%) and Spain (11%).

Thank you for that information... great stuff! And, you're quite correct - Spain is hardly the big offender here.

Given the info, I think I'll be stocking up on some of those Spanish wines. Personally, for the dollar value I think many of these wines are really underrated and undervalued. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Again... thanks for the info. It's much appreciated. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]